Auto transmission shift lag at full throttle

[gbub]

I have not had many vehicles with an automatic but the ones I had/have shift pretty quick at full throttle. Today, for the first time, I hit full throttle after starting to roll and let it go to a little over 70 mph. I was shocked how much lag there is during each shift. It is like the engine shuts down for a second and the transmission shifts then the engine powers up again.

At one time I considered installing the ProCal tuner for improved shifting. I decided I did not want to be stuck with having to use 91/93 octane. I also felt the transmission shifted well when just cruising. Having a Badlands, I don't have a Sport mode but I have read that using the Baha mode in 2H is essentially the same as Sport. I have not tried Baha mode at full throttle yet but did at low to medium acceleration. It felt like the transmission was not going to shift. I was still in the early break in period, so I slowed down and put it back in Normal.

So, my question is, does Sport or Baha mode give quicker shifts or just shifting at a higher rpm? I plan to do a full throttle run in Baha mode but would like to know what to expect before I do.

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[gbub]

Since this is such a popular thread, I thought I would share what found out and what I did to resolve my own question.

I did make a run in Baha mode in 2H to see how it performed. Shifts were quick and rpm was higher at each shift. I also had a warning on the instrument cluster 'for off-road use'. I suspect that is just part of the Baja mode because it also puts it automatically in 4H. I think in 2H it is safe to run it on pavement. The shifts were still relatively soft and I could feel the power drop a little during the shift and then power back up again, but it was so much quicker compared to Normal mode. I don't think Baja mode is good for the street for me. The rpm at shift is higher than I like when just cruising.

I had read before that Sport mode could be added to Badlands with Forscan. I was happy with Normal mode while I was breaking it in and did not pursue adding Sport mode. Now, that I am checking out the acceleration potential of the 2.7L Ecoboost, I decide it is time to explore Sport mode. I looked up the procedure for adding Sport mode and it was very easy once I got the Forscan extended license again.

During the short run I took in Sport mode so far, I found the shifting is very similar to Baja mode but at a lower rpm, but still higher than Normal mode. The Sport shifting is much quicker than Normal mode and the rpm is not so high that it is still usable when just cruising. I think I will still use Normal mode most of the time but will switch to Sport when I feel the need for quick acceleration.

I intend to do more experimentation with Sport mode and will report if I find anything different that I have reported so far.

 

[AZCoyote]

My transmission shifts terrible under full foot. Light to medium acceleration is OK. Stomp on it and it SUCKS. ProCal is high on my list.

 

[gbub]

There is nothing wrong with going to ProCal except for the cost and having to use premium gas. If you are just looking for better shifts, I highly recommend using the Sport mode. It makes the throttle response from a stop much better and the shifts at full throttle are greatly improved. It is also much less expensive and you can use whatever grade of gas you want.

 

[AZCoyote]

There is nothing wrang with going to ProCal except for the cost and having to use premium gas. If you are just looking for better shifts, i highly recommend using the Sport mode. It makes the throttle response from a stop much better and the shifts at full throttle are greatly improved. It is also much less expensive and you can use whatever grade of gas you want.

I’ll try the Sport mode but all I noticed with it is that it holds gear longer and shift at higher RPM. Foot to the floor in my 2.3 with 10 speed has pulsing and lag shifting. It’s pretty horrid.

 

[AZCoyote]

There is nothing wrong with going to ProCal except for the cost and having to use premium gas. If you are just looking for better shifts, I highly recommend using the Sport mode. It makes the throttle response from a stop much better and the shifts at full throttle are greatly improved. It is also much less expensive and you can use whatever grade of gas you want.

Tried that out today. Not an improvement and it runs you in 4H Auto. Are others having terrible shifts 3-4-5 etc?

 

[dgorsett]

Since this is such a popular thread, I thought I would share what found out and what I did to resolve my own question.

I did make a run in Baha mode in 2H to see how it performed. Shifts were quick and rpm was higher at each shift. I also had a warning on the instrument cluster 'for off-road use'. I suspect that is just part of the Baja mode because it also puts it automatically in 4H. I think in 2H it is safe to run it on pavement. The shifts were still relatively soft and I could feel the power drop a little during the shift and then power back up again, but it was so much quicker compared to Normal mode. I don't think Baja mode is good for the street for me. The rpm at shift is higher than I like when just cruising.

I had read before that Sport mode could be added to Badlands with Forscan. I was happy with Normal mode while I was breaking it in and did not pursue adding Sport mode. Now, that I am checking out the acceleration potential of the 2.7L Ecoboost, I decide it is time to explore Sport mode. I looked up the procedure for adding Sport mode and it was very easy once I got the Forscan extended license again.

During the short run I took in Sport mode so far, I found the shifting is very similar to Baja mode but at a lower rpm, but still higher than Normal mode. The Sport shifting is much quicker than Normal mode and the rpm is not so high that it is still usable when just cruising. I think I will still use Normal mode most of the time but will switch to Sport when I feel the need for quick acceleration.

I intend to do more experimentation with Sport mode and will report if I find anything different that I have reported so far.

I hadn't really noticed the soft shifts in Normal but I am becoming a bigger fan of Sport mode. On a curvy mountain road with even a gentle grade Normal is just dead as you decelerate/ accelerate in and out of curves. At least in Sport the Bronco feels like it's still alive. Steep downgrades, Sport is also the way.

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